Turki Al‑Sheikh sparks Manchester United takeover buzz / Image Source: Files
Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Chairman Turki Al‑Sheikh has fans buzzing at Manchester United, blending humor and high-stakes speculation. On October 25, 2025, following United’s 4‑2 Premier League win over Brighton, their third consecutive victory of the season — Al‑Sheikh reposted a viral challenge showing a fan who had vowed not to shave until the club achieved a five-match winning streak. Just weeks earlier, on October 9, 2025, he had caused global media attention with a cryptic X post claiming that Manchester United was in an ‘advanced stage’ of being sold to a new investor, adding a subtle dig at the current owners. Between beard jokes and takeover hints, Al‑Sheikh has once again put Old Trafford in the global spotlight.
Manchester Utd in streak and viral fan joke
Manchester United’s recent form is finally giving fans a reason to smile, but for one content creator, the wins are causing a hairy problem. The latest buzz from Old Trafford isn’t just about the 4-2 Premier League victory over Brighton, it’s about a viral social media joke amplified by one of the club’s most influential fans: Turki Al-Sheikh.On Saturday, October 25, 2025, after United secured their third consecutive league win of the 2025/2026 season, Al-Sheikh, the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, reposted an old, hilarious challenge. The original post highlighted a “foreign content creator” who had vowed not to shave until Manchester United achieved a five-match winning streak.The punchline? The fan’s beard had been growing for 11 months because the club hadn’t managed more than two back-to-back wins.Al-Sheikh, a known Red Devils enthusiast, couldn’t help but add his own witty comment, expressing his wish for the content creator to finally get a shave. He then capped it off with a classic piece of nostalgia: “May God remember you well, Sir Alex Ferguson, you would have seen a razor all season.” This lighthearted jab at the current team’s inconsistency perfectly encapsulated the club’s post-Ferguson struggles.
Who is Turki Al-Sheikh?
Turki Al‑Sheikh is a prominent Saudi government official, serving as Advisor at the Royal Court with ministerial rank and Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA). He has played a key role in Saudi Arabia’s global investment in entertainment, sports, and culture, including the Riyadh Season events. A former Chairman of the General Sports Authority and owner of Spanish club UD Almería (2019–2025), Al‑Sheikh is also influential in boxing. A passionate Manchester United fan, he is involved in the club’s potential commercial deals, including a proposed mid-season friendly.
A cryptic X-post that shook Old Trafford
Just weeks before the playful shaving comment, Al-Sheikh made headlines with a much more serious, yet still cryptic, post that sent the football world into a frenzy.On October 9, 2025, he took to social media (X/Twitter) to share what he called “The best news I heard today.” He sensationally claimed that Manchester United was at an “advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor.” He added a subtle, yet stinging, dig at the current regime by writing: “I hope he’s better than the previous owners.”This post went instantly viral, causing widespread speculation among fans and media. The timing was particularly interesting, as it arrived just hours after minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe (who controls football operations after acquiring a 27.7% stake) gave an interview with no mention of selling his stake or relinquishing control. Reports confirmed that the club itself was surprised by Al-Sheikh’s unexpected claims.
Turki Al-Sheikh clarifies investment status
The global media storm prompted Al-Sheikh to quickly issue a clarification. The following day, he posted a follow-up statement to manage expectations and correct the narrative. Crucially, he clarified that he was not the investor in question, nor was the potential buyer from Saudi Arabia. He stressed that his initial post was made purely “as a fan who wishes the deal to happen.”While this cooled the immediate takeover rumours, it didn’t eliminate the underlying context of his influence. The Glazer family remain the majority owners, but Ratcliffe’s INEOS group handles the football side. Al-Sheikh’s position as a prominent figure in Saudi Arabia’s entertainment and sports sector ensures his comments carry significant weight.
Saudi Arabia friendly deal
The true connection between Turki Al-Sheikh and Manchester United might be more commercial than a full-scale takeover at least for now. It was revealed that the club is in advanced talks with Al-Sheikh and the Saudi authorities about a potentially lucrative mid-season friendly as part of the massive Riyadh Season events.This friendly, possibly featuring a reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo against Al-Nassr, could bank Manchester United a significant fee, reported to be around £10 million. This commercial opportunity is vital for the club, as they missed out on high-revenue European football competitions this season, creating a financial shortfall that a profitable friendly could help offset.Al-Sheikh’s influence and access to the club’s inner circle-as both a passionate fan and a major commercial player-ensure that his tweets, whether jokes about beards or hints about billionaires, will always capture the attention of Old Trafford and the world.
The bottom line
Despite the social media frenzy ignited by Turki Al-Sheikh’s claims, no official bid or advanced sale process has been confirmed by Manchester United. With Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS firmly in control of football operations, the club’s ownership structure remains unchanged for now, making the recent speculation little more than a rumor. Go to Source
